National Fund Leadership Structure Receives Positive Response Amid Ongoing Remembrance Efforts

The National Fund of the Republic of Austria, established to support victims of National Socialism, has marked its 30th anniversary with a renewed leadership arrangement and continued commitment to remembrance and educational initiatives. Despite previous concerns among Jewish organizations regarding the official appointment of Walter Rosenkranz as chair, a revised policy now enables deputy chair Peter Haubner to oversee daily operations. Haubner has confirmed constructive cooperation with the Jewish Community of Vienna and emphasized the fund's ongoing mission.

Established in 1995, the National Fund serves to address Austria's responsibility towards individuals persecuted by the Nazi regime. It provides financial assistance to survivors and their descendants, particularly to those who have received insufficient recognition or support. Since its inception, the fund has approved approximately 3,200 projects and programs, targeting both direct aid and broader initiatives in historical research and education.

The anniversary comes at a time of heightened vigilance against antisemitism. Haubner highlighted the significance of commemorative work and educational outreach, noting that recent reports of antisemitic incidents in Austria signal ongoing societal challenges. The fund allocates resources to initiatives that confront the legacy of National Socialism, strengthen awareness among younger generations, and promote intercommunal dialogue.

Reflecting the consensus-driven approach within Austria's parliament, the fund's decisions on project funding and committee formation have been made unanimously across political parties. The leadership structure ensures continuity and cooperation, with Haubner taking primary responsibility for operational management while maintaining open communication with all stakeholders, including the Jewish community.

One of the fund's central responsibilities involves the maintenance and restoration of Jewish cemeteries throughout Austria. Since 2010, projects on 18 sites have received a total investment of 15.3 million euros, resulting in the successful renovation of 13 cemeteries. Ongoing work continues at several major locations in Vienna, Mistelbach, and Mattersburg.

Plans for a new memorial dedicated to Roma and Sinti victims of National Socialism are advancing. Multiple potential sites in Vienna are under consideration, with community engagement a priority in the selection and design phases. Preparations for a public competition to determine the memorial's artistic concept are underway.

The National Fund also played a pivotal role in the creation of the Shoah Wall of Names Memorial in Vienna, honoring more than 65,000 Austrian Jews murdered during the Holocaust. Beyond memorial projects, the fund supports research on National Socialism and activities that preserve the memory of victims, having distributed approximately 41.6 million euros to such efforts over three decades.

Additional programs include the annual Simon Wiesenthal Prize, awarded in the Austrian Parliament to recognize civil society contributions in combating antisemitism and promoting Holocaust education. Recent amendments to the National Fund Act have expanded the fund's future orientation, placing greater emphasis on youth engagement, remembrance services, and international exchange programs.

Looking ahead, the fund will organize an annual conference at the Austrian Parliament to facilitate knowledge-sharing on the history and consequences of National Socialism. These initiatives aim to ensure the continued relevance of remembrance work and support the development of preventive strategies against intolerance and discrimination in Austria and beyond.